Cup finishing apparatus



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April 24, 1945. w. H. EMERSON CUP FINISHING APPARATUS 13 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Feb. 11, 1944 April 4, 1945. w. H. EMERSON CUP F INI SHING APPARATUS 15 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed Feb. 11, 1944 INVENTOR.

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Patented Apr. 24, 1945 UNITED "STATES PATENT QO'FF'I 2,374,339 CUP FINISHING APPARATUS Walter H. Emerson, East Liverpool, Ohio, as-

s'ignor to TheHcmer Laughlin China Company, Newell, W. Va}, a corporation of Delaware Application February 11, 1944, Serial No. .5 22,009

32 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for finishing partially dried clay cups, such as trimmin and shaping their upper edges, turning feet on them, and burnishing them.

In the manufacture of china and semi-vitreous dinnerware cups-from plastic clay, the first step is to shape them by jiggering balls of clay in plaster molds. In orderto be able to remove the cups from the molds when they have dried enough to become leather hard or self-supporting, the lower ends of the mold cavities should be tapered and must not be provided with annularribs that would lock the cups in the molds. This means that feet can not be formed on the cups ,by the a topping the cups. He thenholds another tool near the bottom of the rotating cup and cuts a groove around it to form a foot. As this operation, called turning, adds materially to-the cost of making the cup, it is often omitted with the result that the cups do not have the pleasing appearance of those with turned feet' The workman then holds a tool against the side of the rotating cup to burnish it. It will be seen that these three manual tooling operations require high priced skilled labor and therefore add materially to the cost of the cups. Another disadvantage is that it is difficult to make cups haying .ieet that allare exactly the same size and shape, especially when the cups in any given set may have been made by several different workmen. No attempt is .made to out the cups down .to a uniform height, because no way has been provided heretofore for doing such a desirable thing. The workman could hold his topping .tool

in the same position relative to the chuck for each cup, but some cups extend farther ontothe chuck than othersso they would be made shorter .as a result.

It is among the objects of this invention to provide apparatus which automatically tops, turns, and burnishescups; which makes all of the cups the same height; which turns feet of uniform size on all of the cups; which does not require a skilled attendant; which israpid in operation; and which .materiallydecreases the-cost of finishing cups.

In accordance with this invention a partially dried clay cup is fitted over the outer end of a rotary chuck beside which there is .a clay-removing tool. Means is provided for moving the tool outwardly along the chuck and for also moving it transversely .so that it will engage the cup. During topping, the cup is gradually cut down by the topping tool to a predetermined height that all of :the cups are to have. This is controlled by stopping the outward movementof the tool at a certain distance from the bottom of the cup. The stopping is effected by gage means that has beenmoved into light contact with the bottom surface of the cup. The same type of independentgage means is desirable :in the foot turning apparatus inorder to assure steadiness of the tool without danger of-deforming the cup. The rotary-chuck preferably is mounted on a turret with several other similar chucks all of which are indexed from stationto station. The topping is done at one station, turning at another; and burnishi-ng at still another. There also is a loading station at which cups are applied to the chucks; and an unloading station where the finished cups are removed. Between the unloading and loading stations there'may be a "sta- 'tion at which'the chucks are cleaned in any-suitable manner, either manual or automatic.

At 'the loading station each cup preferably is applied to the adjacent chuck by a loading chuck coaxial therewith. The loading chuck receives the'bottom of the cup and holds it 'by vacuum or in some other suitable manner while the support for'the loading chuck is moved in a straight line toward the rotary chuck. As soon as the cup is fitted over the rotary chuck, the cup is released from the loading chuck which then is withdrawn. The rotary chuck likewise may be a vacuum chuck.

The rotary chucks preferably are rigidly mounted on radial spindles .rotatably mounted on the turret. At each of the finishing stations, continuously rotating means may be mountedadjacent the inner ends of the spindles. When the turret is brought to rest, these means are operatively connected with the adjacent spindles for rotating them for a short time while the cups on their outer ends are being finished.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in-the accompanying drawings in which Fig, 1 is a plan View of my machine with the left half of the turret broken away and with ing station; Fig. 5 is a view of the outer end of the turning apparatus; Figs. 6 and 7 are enlarged views of the inner ends of the top portions of the topping and turningapparatus, respectively; Fig. 8 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line VIII-VIII of Fig. 6; Fig. 9 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line IX-IX of Fig. '7; Fig. 10 is a vertical longitudinal section through the topping apparatus; Figs. 11, 12, and 13 are vertical transverse sections taken on the lines XIXI, XIIXII, and XIII-XIII, respectively, of Fig. 10; Fig. 14 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line XIV-XIV of Fig. 4; Fig. 15 is a view of the inner end of the top portion of the burnishing apparatus; Fig. 16 is a vertical longitudinal section through the burnishing apparatus; Figs. 17 and 18 are vertical transverse sections taken on the lines XVIIXVII and XVIII- XVIII, respectively, of Fig. 16; and Fig. 19 is an enlarged vertical section taken on the line XIX- XIX of Fig. 1.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings, there is mounted on the base of a cylindrical housing I a rectangular frame 2 that extend substantially across the housing. Slidable longitudinally on this frame is a bed plate 3 that is held in place by brackets 4 attached to the opposite sides of the frame. The bed plate is adjusted by a screw "6 rotatably mounted in a plate I at one end of the frame. The inner end of the screw is threaded through a block 8 projecting from the bottom of the bed plate, and the square outer end of the screw can be turned by a crank inserted through a hole 9 in the side of the housing.

Adjustably mounted on one end of the bed plate is a variable speed unit II that supports at one side the electric motor l2 that operates it. The

driven pulleys i3 of the unit are connected by belts I4 to pulleys'lii that drive a gear reduction unit I! mounted on the other end of the plate, as shown in Fig. 2. The reduction unit rotates an upwardly projecting shaft l8 on which an arm I9 is rigidly mounted. The outer end of this arm carries a roller 20 that projects up into a radial slot formed between a pair of spaced parallel bars 2| that are rigidly connected to the bottom of a Geneva rotor 22. This rotor is carried on the lower end of a shaft 23 the upper end of which is rotatably mounted in a bearing 24 projecting downwardly from the top of the housing. Arm i9 rotates the rotor which, once every revolution, r0- tates a Geneva spider 26 a certain number of degrees. As the machine illustrated has six stations. the spider is rotated 60 for each revolution of the rotor. The spider is mounted on the lower end of a shaft 21 that extends up through the top of the housing. This shaft is journaled in a tubular bearing 28 also extending through the-top of the housing. The top of the shaft supports a circular table or turret 29 (Figs. 1 and 2) that is rigidly mounted thereon and carries a cover plate 30 and an encircling shield 3!. By adjusting bed plate 3 transversely of the housing b screw 6, the Geneva driving unit IT can be adjusted laterally relative to rotor 22. This will cause the rotor to be driven at a speed varying during each revolution, whereby the period of mo ion of the spider will be varied relative to its dwell period.

Mounted on top of the housing are six circumferentially spaced brackets 32 each of which SW port a roller 33 rotatable on an axis extending radially of the housing. Above each roller, when the turret is in one of its stationary positions, is a bifurcated block 34 attached to the bottom of the turret and extending radially thereof. Fastened to the bottom of each of these blocks is a hardened wear plate 36 that rests on the underlying roller and thereby steadies the turret while the cups are being worked upon.

Mounted on the bottom of the turret midway between each pair of blocks is a tubular casing 31 through which a spindle 38 extends radially of the turret. The spindle is mounted in bearings 39 located in the opposite ends of the casing where they seal the chamber formed between them around the spindle. Inside the casing the spindle is provided with radial openings that connect the surrounding chamber with an axial passage 4| extending to the outer end of the spindle. Rigidly mounted on this outer end is a cup-receiving chuck 42 that has a passage through its center. Cups are held on the chuck by suction by reducing the air pressure between the cups and the outer ends of the chucks. This is done by connecting the inside of each casing 31 by a hose 43 to one side of a slide valve 44 supported by the bifurcated block 34 behind the casing 31. The other side of the valve is connected by a passage 46 up through the block to a conduit 41 that extends inwardly over the top of the turret to the lower part 48 of a rotary seal mounted on the center of turret 29. The stationary upper part 49 of this seal is connected by a tube 5| to a suitable source of suction (not shown).

For opening the valves, a finger 52 is pivotally 'mounted near one end in the roller bracket at the left of the loading station A (Fig. 1). The other end of this finger is pivotally connected by a link 53, extending down through the top of the housing, to the center of a radial lever 54 pivotally mounted at its inner end on bearing 28, as shown in Fig. 2. The outer end of this lever is connected to the upper end of an adjustable rod 56 that is slidable vertically in bracket 51 attached to the inside of the housing. The lower end of the rod supports a foot pedal 58 that extends out through a slot in the side of the housing. When this pedal is depressed by the foot of the operator, the finger is swung inwardly and strikes the adjacent valve 44 which it slides inwardly to open the suction line to the spindle casing 31 located at the loading station.

In order to rotate the spindles at the different stations, an electric motor 6! is mounted on top of the housing at each station except the unloading station. As shown in Fig. 2. each motor is connected by a belt 62 to a combination pulley and clutch member 83 rotatably mounted above it on the outer end of a radial stub shaft 64. The shaft is slidably mounted in the end walls of a cylinder 66 rigidly mounted on a flange 61 encircling the upper end of bearing 28. The clutch member is urged toward the cylinder by a coil spring 58 on the shaft compressed between the outer wall of the cylinder and a collar on the shaft. Adjoining the collar is a'flexible diaphragm 69 the periphery of which is connected to the side wall of the cylinder. All of the cylinders have the chambers behind their d aphragms connected by vertical pipes H to a header I2 that encircles bearing 28. The header is connected by another vertical conduit 13 to a spring-closed slide valve 74 that is mounted on the side of bearing 24 and connected to a suitable source of air pressur (not shown). Thi valve is periodically opened by a cam 15 mounted. on the: Geneva rotor shait. When. the valve is opened, the air pressure against the diaphragm 629 forces the shaits: 6N outwardly and thereby moves the clutch members 83 into frictional engagement cooperating clutch members 1''! mounted on the inner ends of the adjoining spindles 311, wheneby' the spindlesare rotated by motors Fl Betore the: turret is indexed again, cam Hit leaves-the air pressure valve E4 and permits it: to close, whereupon springs. on: discus. gage clutch. members 63l ftom; members. 1)! sothat the turretcan rotate.

In order that cups with not he. tiltedi when fitted over: chucks; at; the loading station,

loading apparatus is. provided to assume that the cup bottoms will lie irt a plane perpendicular to: the. axis: of the: chuck which they ace: applied Accordingly, as shown 1 an outwardly and: upwardly extending bracket 81: isattached to. the: side: of the machine: housing. I; at the: loading. star. tion A. The upper end of. the" bracket is flall and: supports asli-de- 8-2 that is adjustable: thereon radially oi the turret. Projecting: fnom the slide toward. the. chuckv at the loading; station. is. a toe bul'ar arm 835 coaxial with the chuck. The: arm is. encircled by traveling bearings on which a". tube 86 is mounted: so that the tube can be moved: lengthwise: of. the acme The chuck end of the tube is closed by a socket al into: the back. oi which a stop screw &8 is threaded. This scnewextends through a bearing sein the adiacent. end. of. the arm, and. its head will strike against the bearing. and limit; movement of. the tube to? ward the chuck.

A loading chuck at. coaxial with: the: chuck 42 is rotatably mounted in. the socket" by means 0; a sealed bearing. 92 that forms a chamber between it and the back oi the socket. The chuck. has a central passage 93' that opens: intothe The chuck is shaped to: receive the. custom-a ry tapered foot portion of a pantially dried. clay culpwithv the bottom of the cupresting against the back of the chuck. As the bottomof the cupis"v in a plane. perpendicular to its, axis. the cups thus will bev held coaxial' with the chuck cnitheturret.

It is preferred to hold. the cup in the I ding, chuck by suction. For this urpose. the chamber behind the loading chuck. is connected: by avalve 96-, attached.- to socket 8.1:, toa flexible hose. 97!.

that leads to a source of suction (not shown) As shown in Fig:..1[9 ..the.valve preierably is man; ually operable and. may include. a. ventically neon. able. plug 9.8 that is; normally held. in its upper position by a coil spring 9.9. compressed. between the bottom of the: plug and a. perforated cap Hill at the bottom of the valve; When the plug. is in its upper osition it closes. the. suction line but connects the chamber behind. the. loading chuck to the. atmosphere: thzough a passage: HHI ex.- tend'ing down through the plug.

Infapplyi-ng cups tothe. machine. chucks .42. the operator of the machine stands beside the loading apparatus and places the. bottom! oi a; cup in. the loading chuck. At the same tinge. he. depresses the valve lug Sit with. thumb which thereby disconnects passage Hlt from. the chains ber behind the loading chuck and connects hose 9"! with. that chamber by means. of; a hovizontal passage H32 through theplug. Theioperatorthem moves tube 86- and. the loading. chuck toward the rotating chuck 4.2: and thereby telescopes on tits the cup over that chuck. The o peizator then stepson foot pedal. 58 to cause: he r m a ur inside of: the cup. to be reduced. the same time he takes his thumb offi the-valve 11 i'ng apparatus alt-station C: will be described first;

Thus the outer end of the foot turning apparatus, which looks the same as: the topping. ap-

patatus, is shownin. Fig. 5:, and the way in. which itis associated with housing" I and the turret is illustrated by Fig. 4. Figs. I and; 3 show the re1ation of both the topping and foot turning. apparatus to the mainhousing. The lower portion of the foot turning apparatus is formed by a hollow bracket Hi5 bolted to the side. of housing: L top of the bracket is flat and is provided a rib r06 extending radially of the. turret and p z ojectingup into a groove Hi1 in the bottom of a control box. I08: slidably mounted on the bracket. Tohold the box in any desired position its lateralflanges H19 are provided with vertical slots l l l through which extend screws H2 that are screwed intothe topof the bracket.

Rotatably mounted in bearingsinthe end walls of the control boX is a cam: shaftv H3 (Figs- 4,. 9,. and 14) on the outer end of which a sprocket l M is rigidly mounted. This sprocket is rotated; continuously by a chain H6 extending down. through the: bottom; of the box; and thnough a slot [H in. the top of the bracket to another: sprocket no splined; on a horizontal; shait I: I9. This shaft is slidalhly and octet-ably mounted in. a forked bear .i-ng' IZ'Ii projecting down into: the buacket immthe bottom of the box. The inner end of the shaft. is journaled'. m a. bearing 812:2 fiastened the side of the bracket, and: carries a bevel gear 123 that iszdzziven by a similar gear Hi4 mounted on the uppen end oi a vertical. shaft I26 the- Iower: end. oi whichis supported: in a bearing 1-3? on thebottcm wall: of the bracket. This shaft. carries a: sprocket 1:28: which is connected by a chain. 12:9; extending through am opening: tat the side of the housing; toa sprocket L32. This stmocket and a sprocket 133 above it are rigidly mountedon thesame vertical shaft L34 journalect in a. bracket I 3fi attached to the: inside of the housing. The upper sprocket is driven continueously by a chain 131 from a spnocket 13!! men d on rotor shaft 2'3: between motor 22 and can; lift above it- The sprockets are the: size: S th t.

for every notation of the rotor" the shaits bracket i854 and the cam. shaft in. the contract boa make one revolution. Chain- Hi-l also passes around a. small idler takeeupsprocket 38 ported by an arm but adiustably connected. tobracket; 136. This idlen spilocket also compels. the chain toengage about half of. the teeth of. drivesprocket I38. v

Returning now tc the topping apparatus at station. B-,. it includes elements. that are. the same.

- asthosenumbened N15 to not; thefost-turning appanatns, and. these elements. insofar as they are shown and. numbered, ace: therefore desigr hated. by the same. reference numerals used in describing the foot.- turning apparatus. except that eachnumber: is followed. by.- the letter c.v Mounted. on the front or inner end of earn shaft |.l:3c the: topping control. box 18c, asshownin Figs... 8. 1.0.; and L1, is a. cam UH; the. real: suriace of which engages a cam follower roller I42 ried by a. collar 1-431 clamped on a. horizontal tube I44 that is coaxial with the chuck 42 at this station. This tube is mounted on bearings I46 that encircle and travel along a tubular arm I41 extending through the box from its rear end wall. The space .between the projecting front end of tube I44 and the surrounding wall of the box is closed by a flexible diaphragm I48. The tube is prevented from rotating on the arm by means of a collar I49 clamped on the tube and carrying a roller II that travels in a bifurcated guide I52 attached to the top wall of the box. The front end of the tube is closed by a tapered plug-l53 that rotatably supports a gage block I54 the end surface of which is shaped to conform to the bottom of the cup on the chuck. The tube is urged toward the chuck by means of a very light coil spring I56 compressed between plug I53 and a shoulder on a threaded stud I51 that is slidably mounted in the hollow arm. This stud is prevented from rotating by a key I58 projecting p from the arm into a longitudinal slot I59 in the side of the stud. 'The studextends into an internally threaded screw I6I that is rotatably mounted in the end of the arm and that can be turned by a knurled head I 62 at its outer end for controlling the pressure on the spring. It

will be seen that the spring urges the gage block toward the chuck, while cam I4I periodically moves the tube I44 inwardly on its supporting arm I41.

The cam shaft also carries a cam I63 the front surface of which engages a cam follower roller I64 mounted on a sleeve I66 below it which is slidable parallel to the cam shaft on a square stub shaft I61 projecting rearwardly from the front wall of the box. The sleeve carries another roller I68 that is adapted to engage the rear. surface of a flanged collar I69 rigidly mounted one tube I1I parallel to the gage tube I44. This tube is mounted on bearings I12 that travel along a tubular arm I 13 extending from the rear end Wall of the box through the opposite end wall. The space between the tube and front end wall of the box is sealed by sealing members I14 frictionally engaging the tube. The tube is urged inwardly along the arm by a coil spring I16 attached to a pin I11 rotatably mounted in the center of a plug I18 in the projecting end of the tube. This spring extends through the hollow arm I13 and is connected to a threaded stud I19 that is prevented from rotating by a key IBI projecting, from the arm into a longitudinal slot I82 in the side of the stud. The stud extends into an internally threaded screw I83 rotatably mounted in the end of the arm and which can be turned by a head I84 on its outer end to adjust the tension on the spring. As cam I63 rotates, it presses against roller I 64 on sleeve I66 and thereby moves the sleeve forward on the square shaft to press the other roller I68 against the flanged collar I69. This moves tube I1I forward on the arm and against the tension of spring I16.

As shown in Figs. 6 and 10, a collar I86 is clamped on the projecting end of the lower tube HI, and the collar has a lateral projection I90. A leaf spring I81, disposed radially of the collar beside its projection, has its inner end rigidly connected to the collar while its outer end supports a block I 88 in which the topping tool I89 is mounted. This spring can be adjusted toward and away from the collar projection by a bolt I9I extending through the central portion of the spring and through the outer end of the projeccam I 4I is holding the gage tube in its outer or retracted position while cam I63 is holding the tool tube in its inner or forward position. As the cams continue to rotate, cam I4I recedes and thus permits spring I56 to move the gage tube toward the cup until the gage block lightly engages its bottom. The gage tube is then locked in this position, as shown in Figs. 10 and 12, by means of a brake shoe I92 the upper end of which is pivotally connected to one side of a sleeve I93 slidable on the ssquare portion of a shaft I94 extending across the upper part of the control box. The sleeve is urged toward adjustable lock nuts I96 on the shaft by a coil spring I91. The central portion of the shoe has an arcuate friction surface that engages the side of the gage tube. The lower end of the shoe is provided with a roller I98 that is engaged by a cam I 99 mounted on the cam shaft and which periodically swings the shoe toward the tube to hold it against longitudinal movement on arm I41.

While this is taking place, the tool tube In is rotated a few degrees to swing the topping tool in against the chuck at a point spaced from the top of the cup. This is accomplished by providing the inner end of the tool tube with ear teeth 20I with which a rack 202 meshes as shown in Figs. 10 and 13. The rack is slidable on the square portion of a shaft 203 extending from one side wall of the control box to a bearing 204 mounted on the cam shaft. One side of the rack is provided with a roller 206 that is pressed against a cam 201 on the cam shaft by means of a coil spring 208 compressed between the opposite end of the rack and the side of the box. When either the spring or the cam moves the rack, the latter turns the tool tube to swing the tool. The tool is swung against the chuck when spring 208 is permitted by cam 201 to move the rack.

By this time the cam I 63 starts to recede to permit lower spring I16 to pull the tool tube inwardly on arm I13 so that the topping tool is brought into contact with the upper edge of the rotating cup to which it gives the desired shape. As the tool continues to move outwardly along the chuck, it gradually reduces the height of the cup until the movement of the tool tube is stopped by the flanged collar I69 striking a stop roller 2II supported by collar I49 on the gage tube. As collar I49 is always the same distance from the bottom of every cup being topped, it will be seen that for every cup the topping tool is permitted to move toward gage block I54 exactly the same predetermined distance, so all the cups are trimmed down to the same height by the tool as it shapes their upper edges. When topping is completed, cam I63 pushes tool tube I1I forward to its original position, and cam 201 causes rack 202 to turn the tube so that the tool is swung away from the chuck.

After the cup has been topped, the turret is indexed to carry the cup to the foot turning station 0 which is the same, except for a few details, as the topping station. Thus, as shown in Fig. 9, the cam shaft II3 carries cams I4Ie, I63e, and I996 that have the same shape and function as cams I4I, I63, and I99, respectively, of Fig. 8. The principal differences are that the'tool itself is different and the tool-supporting tube I1Ie (Figs. 4 and 14) preferably is rotated continuously instead of being oscillated. The tool, of course, is shaped to turn a foot of the desired shape on the cup. 'As shown in Fig. 7, the turning tool 2I5 is adjustably fastened to the front side of a radial projection of a collar 2I6 clamped on its sup- Porting: tube ll-le. Behind the tool a pin 2H in the radial projection extends parallel totheaxis of the tube. Pivotally mounted on this pin is a radial arm M8 the inner end of which engages a stop screw 2|9- supported at the front. side of the collar. Extending rearwardly from the outer end of. this arm is a foot burnishing member 22! that hasits free end biased. outwardly by a. coil spring 222 mounted on pins 2-23 projecting from adjacent surfaces of the collar and member 2 2i. This member follows tool 2l5 and smooths the surface of the groove cutby the tool.

Instead of. having a rack for swinging the tool toward and; away from the chuck, cam shaft H3 is provided with a gear 224, that meshes with another gear 225. ('Figs. 4- and 14) mounted on the rear end of tool tube Hie so that the tube and tool are continuously rotated. The foot is formed on a cup when the tool passes across a rapidly revolving cup at the foot turning; station. Unlike the topping operation, the foot turning tool ismoved rearwardly until opposite the lower portion of the cup before the tool is swung into engagement with the cup.

The topped and footed cup is then indexed by the turret to the. next station D which is where the outer surface of the cup. is burnished. As shown: in Figs. 1, 3, and 16, the control box 230 at this. station is a'djustably supported by a bracket 23! in the same manner as those at the two preceding stations, but as it is not important to stop the outward movement of the burnishing tool. along the cup. at any particular point, no gaging means is provided for contact with the bottom of the cup.

The control box contains a cam shaft. 232 on which a sprocketv 233 is rigidly mounted. This sprocket is driven continuously by a chain from driving mechanism below it. which is driven by a sprocket 234 inside. housing I, as shown in Fig. 3. Rotatably and. slidably mounted in bearings 236 in the opposite ends of the. box is a toolsupporting shaft23] that projects from the front of the box. This shaftv is urged forward by acoil spring 233 compressed. between its rear end and the outer end of a cylindrical projection 239 on the back wall of the box. Forward: movement of the tool shaft is limited by a collar 24! rigidly mounted thereon and engaging a roller 242 carried by a square sleeve 243. This sleeve is: sl-idably mounted on a square stub shaft 244 projecting inwardly from the, rear wall of the box, and carries another roller 245 that engages a cam 24! rigidly mounted on the cam shaft. As the cam rotates, it moves the rollers and sleeve backwardly on the square shaft and thereby moves the tool shaft in the same direction against the resistance of spring 238.

As the tool shaft is retracted by cam 241, the shaft is turned to swing the burnishingtool 24 8 against the cup. The tool is rigidly connected at its lower end to a collar 24'!) clamped on the projecting end of shaft 231. The shaft is turned by a rack 250 slidably mounted on the square portion of a shaft 25| extending transversely of the control box as shown in Fig. 17. The inner end of this shaft is supported by a bearing 252 on the cam shaft, while its cylindrical outer end portion extends into the smooth bore of a hollow screw 2'53' rotatably mounted in the side. wall of the box- Threaded on this screw is a nut 254 that projects into a longitudinal groove in the side of shaft 251 so that by turning the screw the nut can be adjusted along the shaft to vary the pressure on a coil spring 256 encircling the shaft between thenut and'rack. The rack has a roller 25-! projecting from one side which is engaged by-a-cam 258 fastened to the cam shaft. When the cam moves the roller and rack, the rack teeth, which mesh with teeth formed. on the tool shaft, turnthe-latter.

Asseon asv burnishing has been completed, cam 25.8:mo1ves the rack toward nut 254 to swing the tool away from the cup. At substantiall the sometime cam 241- permits spring 238 to move the. tool shaft forward in the control box to its original position. The front bearing is protected from clay by a thinrubber housing 259 encircling the. tool shaft and attached to the shaft and. control box Following. burnishing, the table is rotated to index the: cup. to the next station iiiv where, slide valve 44 in the suction line. to the chuck is opened by striking. against a cam 260 mounted on a bracket 32 as shown in Fig. 1. This permits air to enter the.- chuck so that an operator can remove, the finished m therefrom. At the. next station-F the chuck can be wiped off, if necessary, to, prepare it for receiving a new cup. at the loading station.

After a cup has been applied to one of the chucks at. the loading. station, it is thenautomatically topped, turned and burnished by this machine; Considerable manual labor not only is saved, but these finishing. operations are speeded up materially over prior hand methods. Of equal or greater importance. is the factv that all. cups of the. same typev are. finished alike. That, is, they are all trimmed by the. topping tool down to the same height, feet of the same size and shape are formed on all, of the cups, and they all receive. the same amount of burnishing. More uniform sets of. cups are thus produced,

' and the number of seconds or rejects is greatly decreased. The machine itself can readily beadiusted for finishing different shapes of cups and for varying the length of the finishing operations.

According to the provisions of'the patent statutes, I, have explained the principle and construction of my invention and have illustrated and described what I now consider to, represent its best embodiment. However, I desire to have itv understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be. practiced otherwise than as. specifically illustrated and described.

I. claim:

L. Cup finishing apparatus comprising a turret, a plurality of radial spindles rotatably supported by the turret, a cup-receiving chuck mounted on the outer end of each spindle, means for intermittently rotating the turret to index the chucks from station to station, continuously rotating means mounted adjacent the inner ends of the spindles at some of said stations, means for temporarily connecting said continuously rotating. means with the adjacent spindles. to rotate. them, and means; beside the turret for removing clay from. partially dried clay cups mounted on the rotating chucks.

2. Cup finishing apparatus comprising a turret, a plurality of radial spindles rotatably supported by the turret, a cup-receiving chuck mounted, on the outer end of each spindle, means for intermittently rotating the turret to index the chucks fromstation to station, clutch means mounted adjacent the. inner ends of. the spindles at, some of said stations, means. for continuously rotating said clutch means, means for periodically moving said clutch means into operative engagement with the adjacent spindles to rotate them, and means beside the turret for removing clay from partially dried clay cups mounted on the rotating chucks.

3. Cup finishing apparatus comprising a turret, a plurality of radial spindles rotatably supported by the turret, a cup-receiving chuck mounted on the outer end of each spindle, continuously rotating driving means, intermittently rotating means driven by said driving means and connected to the turret for indexing the chucks from station to station, clutch means mounted adjacent the inner ends of the spindles at some of said stations, means for continuously rotating said clutch means, means controlled by said driving means for periodically moving said clutch means into operative engagement with the adjacent spindles to rotate them, and means beside the turret for removing clay from partially dried clay cups mounted on the rotating chucks.

4. Cup finishing apparatus comprising a turret, a plurality of radial spindles rotatably supported by the turret, a cup-receiving chuck mounted on the outer end of each spindle, means for intermittently rotating the turret to index the chucks fromlstation to station, clutch means mounted adjacent the inner ends of the spindles at some of said stations, means for continuously rotating said clutch means, resilient means normally spacing said clutch means from the spindles, fluidoperated means for moving said clutch means into operative engagement with the adjacent spindles to rotate them, means automatically controlling said fluid-operated means, and means beside the turret for removing clay from partially dried clay cups mounted on the rotating chucks.

5. Cup finishing apparatus comprising a turret, a plurality of radial spindles rotatably supported by the turret, a cup-receiving chuck mounted on the outer end of each spindle, means for intermittently rotating the turret to index the chucks from station to station, a conduit for connecting each chuck toa source of actuating fluid for holding cups on the chucks, a closed valve in each conduit, manually operable means for opening each valve when the chuck associated therewith is at a given station, means for automatically closing the valve when the associated chuck reaches another given station, continuously rotating means mounted adjacent the inner ends of the spindles at some of said stations, means for temporarily connecting said continuously rotating means with the adjacent spindles to rotate them, and means beside the turret for removing clay from partially dried clay cups mounted on the rotating chucks.

6. Cup finishing apparatus comprising a turret, a plurality of radial spindles rotatably supported by the turret, a cup-receiving chuck mounted on the outer end of each spindle, means for intermittently rotating the to a plurality of stations, means beside the turret at one station for applying cups to the chucks, means at another station for trimming the tops of the cups on said chucks, means at another station for turning a foot on each cup, means at a further station for burnishing the outside of the cups, a still further station being adapted for removal of finished cups from the chucks, and means for rotating said chucks at said topping and turning and burnishing stations.

7. Cup finishing apparatus comprising a rotary chuck, a tool for removing clay from a partially dried clay cup fitted over the outer end of the turret to index the chucks chuck, means for moving thetool outwardly along the chuck, and means adapted to be positioned by the cup for stopping the tool a predetermined distance from the bottom of the cup regardless of the position of the cup on the chuck. I

8. Cup finishing apparatus comprising a rotary chuck, a tool for removing clay from a partially dried clay cup fitted over the outer end of'the chuck, means for moving the tool outwardly along the chuck, and means adapted to engage the bottom of the cup for stopping said tool a predetermined distance from said bottom.

9. Cup finishing apparatus comprising a rotary chuck, a tool for removing clay from a partially dried clay cup fitted over the outer end of the chuck, means for moving the tool outwardly along the chuck, spring-pressed means adapted to engage the bottom of the cup for stopping said tool a predetermined distance from said bottom, and means for locking said spring-pressed means in tool-stopping position.

10. Cup finishing apparatus comprising a rotary chuck, a tool for removing clay from a partially dried clay cup fitted over the outer end of thechuck, means for moving the tool outwardly along the chuck, and means in alignment with the chuck adapted to be moved inwardly toward its outer end into engagement with the bottom of the cup for stopping said tool a predetermined distance from said bottom.

11. Cu finishing apparatus comprising a rotary chuck, a tool for removing clay from a partially dried clay cup fitted over the outer end of the chuck, means for moving the tool outwardly along the chuck, gage means movable axially of the chuck for engaging the bottom of the cup, and a stop member projecting laterally from said gage means for stopping said tool a predetermined distance from said bottom.

12. Cup finishing apparatus comprising a rotary chuck, a tool for removing clay from a partially dried clay cup fitted over the outer end of the chuck, means for moving the tool'outwardly along the chuck, means for stopping the tool a predetermined distance from the bottom of the cup regardless of the position of the cup on the chuck, and means for locking said tool-stopping means in tool-stopping position.

13. Cup finishing apparatus comprising a rotary chuck, a tool for removing clay from a partially dried clay cup fitted over the outer end of the chuck, a tool support, means for turning the support on an axis substantially parallel to the chuck axis during each cup finishing operation, means for moving said support outwardly along the chuck, and means adapted to be positioned by the cup for stopping said outward movement of the support when said tool is a predetermined distance from the bottom of the cup regardless of the position of the cup on the chuck.

14. Cup finishing apparatus comprising a rotary chuck, a tool for removing clay from a partially dried clay cup fitted over the outer end of the chuck, a tool support, means for turning the support on an axis substantially parallel to the chuck axis, means for moving said support outwardly along the chuck, and means adapted to engage the bottom of the cup for stopping said outward movement of the support when said tool is a predetermined distance from said bottom.

'15. Cup finishing apparatus comprising a rotary chuck, a tool for removing clay from a partially dried clay cup fitted 'overthe outer end of the chuck, a tool support, means for turning the support on an axis substantially parallel to the reverse chuck axis; meansfor moving said support outwardly' along the chuck, gage means movable axially of the chuck for engaging the bottom of the cup, and a stop member projecting laterally from said gage means for stopping said outward movement of the tool support when said tool is a predetermined distance from said bottom.

16. Cup finishing apparatus comprising a rotary chuck, a tool for removing clay from a partially dried clay cup fitted over the outer end of the chuck, a tool support, means for turning the support on an axis substantially parallel to the chuck axis, means for moving said support outwardly along the chuck, gage means movable axially of the chuck for engaging the bottom of the cup, a stop member projecting laterally from said gage means for stopping said outward movement of the tool support when said tool is a predetermined distance from said bottom, means for subsequently moving said support inwardly along the chuck, and means for thereafter moving said gage means away from the chuck.

1"7. Cup finishing apparatus comprising a rotary chuck, a tool for removing clay from a partially dried clay cup fitted over the outer end of the chuck, means for moving the tool outwardly along the chuck, gage means movable axially of the chuck for engaging the bottom of the cup, means for locking said gage means in cup-engaging position, and a stop member projecting laterally from said gage means for stopping said tool a predetermined distance from said bottom.

18. Cup finishing apparatus comprising a rotary chuck, a tool for removing clay from a partially dried cla cup fitted over the outer end of the chuck, a tool support, means for turning the support on an axis substantially parallel to the chuck axis during each cup finishing operation to automatically move the tool into and out of engagement with each cup, and meansfor moving said support outwardly alongthe chuck.

19. Cup finishing apparatus comprising a rotary chuck, atool for removing clay from a partially dried clay cup fitted over the outer end of the chuck, a tool support beside the chuck, means for turning the support on an axis substantially parallel to the chuck axis during each cup finishing operation to automatically move the tool intov and out of engagement with each cup, a spring for moving the support axially in one direction, and a continuously rotating cam for moving the support in the opposite direction.

' 20. Cup finishing apparatus comprising a rotary, chuck, a tool for removing clay from a partially dried clay cup fitted over the outer end of the chuck, a tool support beside the chuck, means for turning the support on an axis substantially parallel to the chuck axis, a spring for moving the support axially in one direction, a continuously rotating cam for moving the support in the opposite direction, a collar rigidly mounted on the support, a non-rotatable member movable parallel to said support axis, and a pair of rollers carried by said member, one of said rollers engaging the cam and the other'engaging the collar.

21-. Cup finishing apparatus comprising a rotary chuck, a tool for cutting clay from a partially dried clay cup fitted over the outer end of the chuck, a tool support beside the chuck movablesubstantially parallel 'to the chuck axis, a spring for moving the support outwardly, gage means spaced from the outer end of the chuck and movable axially thereof, a spring for moving said means into contact with the bottom of the cup, a continuously rotating cam shaft beside I said means and tool support, a cam on said shaft for moving said means away from thechuck, a cam on said shaft for moving said support inwardly, means mounted on said shaft for turning said support to move the tool into contact with the cup, and means connected to said gage means for limiting outward movement of said support.

22. Cup finishing apparatus comprising a rotary chuck, a tool for cutting clay from a partially dried clay cup fitted over the outer end of the chuck, a tool support beside the chuck movable substantially parallel to the chuck axis, a spring for moving the support outwardly, gage means spaced from the outer end of the chuck and movable axially thereof, a spring for moving said means into contact with the bottom of the cup, a continuously rotating cam shaft beside said 'means and tool support, a cam on said shaft for moving said means away from the chuck, a cam on said shaft for moving said support inwardly, a brake, a cam on said shaft for pressing the brake against said means to lock said means in cup-engaging position, means mounted on said shaft for turning said support to move the toolinto contact withthe cup, and means connected to said gage means for limiting outward movement of said support.

23. Cup finishing apparatus comprising a rotary chuck, a tool for cutting clay from a partially dried clay cup fitted over the outer end of the chuck, a, tool support beside the chuckmovablesubstantiallyparallel to the chuck axis, gage means spaced from the outer end of the chuck and movable axially thereof, a continuously rotating cam shaft beside said means and tool support, a cam on said shaft normally holding said means retracted, a spring for advancing said means into-contact with the bottom of the cup when said means is released by the cam, means for locking said gage means in cup-contacting position, a cam on said shaft normally holding said tool support in its inner position, a spring for moving said support outwardly when the support is released by its cam, said cams being positioned on said shaft to first release said gage means and then said support, and means connected to said gage mean for limiting said outward movement or said support.

24. Cup finishing apparatus comprising a rotary chuck, a tool for cutting clay from a partially dried clay cup fitted over theouter end of the chuck, a tool support beside the chuckmovable substantially parallel to the chuck axis, gage means spaced from the outer end of the chuck and movable axially thereof, a continuously rotating cam shaft beside said means and tool support, a cam on said shaft normally holding said means retracted, a spring for advancing said means into contact with the bottom of the cup when said means is released by the cam, means for-locking said gage means in cup-contacting position, a cam on said shaft normally holding said tool support in its inner position, a spring for moving said support outwardly when the support is released by its cam, said cams being positioned on said shaft to first release said gage means and then said support, means connected to said gage means for limiting said outward movement of said support, a rack for turning said support to swing said tool into engagement with the cup, and a cam on said shaft for reciprocating the rack. v

25. Cup finishing apparatus comprising a ro- 

